Post by abhijacko on Jan 19, 2014 10:38:46 GMT -8

Ofcourse I am watching and following it

I think in ODIs NZ is a very competitive side - especially with Ryder back in the mix and their new find Corey Anderson. And they are definitely a better bowling unit than unit Our bowling is just terrible.

A deserving win in the first ODI - the kiwis were just electric in the field. Must have saved 30 odd runs just in the field itself. Kohli stood out for India. He is literally unstoppable. Its incredible how easily he can change gears and go from accumulating runs to destroying attacks. Fascinating player to watch.

Post by gangsta on Jan 19, 2014 14:47:41 GMT -8

Suresh Raina - how can he consistently make what is considered an excellent batting lineup? He is the worst batsmen India have produced in recent times. He should just play IPL cricket and nothing more. Just any form of the game where a close-your-eyes and swing to mid wicket slog can actually come off more times than not.

Post by riverpanthera on Jan 19, 2014 20:27:13 GMT -8

I think in ODIs NZ is a very competitive side - especially with Ryder back in the mix and their new find Corey Anderson. And they are definitely a better bowling unit than unit Our bowling is just terrible.

A deserving win in the first ODI - the kiwis were just electric in the field. Must have saved 30 odd runs just in the field itself. Kohli stood out for India. He is literally unstoppable. Its incredible how easily he can change gears and go from accumulating runs to destroying attacks. Fascinating player to watch.

Waiting eagerly for the next game

I was just thinking later that I perhaps spoke too soon lol. I'm very happy we won the first match, but series is still a long way to go and I do expect India to get better as the get adjusted to teh conditions.I agree, the NZ fielding was brilliant, definitely played a big part in winning, because when Dhoni and Kohli were playing, it was looking like India would win.

Post by abhijacko on Jan 19, 2014 20:44:56 GMT -8

I obviously want India to always win - but ever since the whole ICC restructuring proposal of giving all power to BCCI-CA-ECB I wouldnt mind teams like NZ,SL,WI,etc beating these 'big players' and showing their worth. Even though its totally not the players fault, but the fault of the administrators

Post by karan on Jan 19, 2014 21:28:29 GMT -8

Expected India to win, especially with Kohli and Dhoni at the crease when I checked the scores. But happy Kohli made a century. I expect India to improve and go on to win the series (and hopefully not lose a single match from here on). Raina and Rohit should be dropped if they fail in this series (but doubt it considering how the indian cricket board works).

Post by abhijacko on Jan 20, 2014 7:47:04 GMT -8

Couldn't agree more about raina and rohit. Rohit seems absolutely lost and clueless against good pace bowling. I don't get how he clicked so well during the champions trophy.

And I wouldn't count out NZ just yet. I would love it for india to win all of the next games, but NZ have a very solid ODI unit, especially at home. I think they are so low on the ranking because of their loses to Bangladesh in Bangladesh on those slow, turners.

Post by abhijacko on Jan 22, 2014 8:00:35 GMT -8

It was actually very similar, except that the dismissals were not to short balls this time.

If only Rohit and Dhawan hadn't played 30 odd dot balls, it might have been a different game. Credit to Mills and Mcclenaghan for bowling superbly in the first 8 overs. Southee reaped the rewards of their accurate bowling.

But what a player Kohli. I was stunned when he walked in with a struggling Sharma and Dhawan, and played the most gorgeous looking on-drive. He is on a different level

Post by karan on Jan 22, 2014 20:55:32 GMT -8

Same mistakes as usual from India. Bowlers (in particular Ishant) concede another big total, making NZ batsmen look like world-beaters and there's only Kohli and Dhoni to rely on for a win with other batsmen failing once again overseas. Seems like half the players shouldn't even be in the team. Ishant, Rohit, Raina, Jadeja and Aswhin should all be out but Dhoni keeps persisting with them.

Post by riverpanthera on Jan 25, 2014 1:20:53 GMT -8

WHat a match that was! So much drama and excitement and then to all end in a tie! NZ will be a bit disappointed, with 9 down, getting 18 from last over shouldn't have been possible for India. Especially giving away 2 wides in the last over. But I can forgive Anderson, he did so well otherwise. And damn, Ashwin and then Jadeja did great! Almost thought India was going to win there.

Post by riverpanthera on Jan 25, 2014 1:55:57 GMT -8

I still can't get over the awful umpiring decision of not giving Jadeja out though. ANd at such a crucial stage of the match. (India were 8 down, and Jadeja was only batsmen left with 31 runs still needed) It was very clearly caught behind. Aaargh, that should have won NZ the match right there.

yeah I know these things happen, but still it's very annoying when it happens in situation like this where NZ could have won series. We hardly win enough as it is. Why the hell were there no reviews allowed for this match.

Of course we did also drop Jadeja, miss his run outs twice and stumping chance so that is our fault. I guess it was just Jadeja's lucky day.

Post by abhijacko on Jan 25, 2014 16:21:04 GMT -8

It was a crazy match - cannot believe Jadeja would be the one to pull it off

I still feel the batting order needs a shuffle. We have too many players of the same type - flash and bang 30-40 runs. Be it Rohit, Dhawan or Raina. Thats 3 out of the top 5. Need someone who can guide the innings along. Rahane hasnt instilled a lot of confidence at no.4. Should be tried as an opener. Rohit should drop to 4 as he is much better off when the field is spread out and singles are available. Raina should be dropped for Rayudu, and maybe JAdeja should be transferred to no.5 ahead of Dhoni. He never was a slogger and should be given some opportunity higher up the order.

Post by riverpanthera on Jan 27, 2014 22:04:56 GMT -8

I can't believe NZ have rested Anderson in such a crucial match. What on earth are they thinking, does he really need a break now.

ANywho, India finally seemed to have smartened up and decided to bat first. Although have made the lowest score of this series (278), but the wicket is harder and with no ANderson, it could still be tough to get for NZ if we lose wickets.

Post by abhijacko on Jan 30, 2014 19:25:00 GMT -8

Kane Williamson - 5 fifties in 5 games (looking set for a century here).

His presence in the middle order might be the best thing that has happened to the Kiwi middle order since McMillan+Fleming combo, maybe even further back. Dont remember seeing a kiwi middle order batsman averaging almost 40 ...

I think this is a really good outfit for WorldCup2015 for the Kiwis. If Brendon can fine form, and Taylor can be more consistent, then that's a formidable middle order to follow up Ryder and Guptill.

Post by riverpanthera on Jan 30, 2014 23:01:51 GMT -8

^yeah Kane Williamson has been amazing, he was always piped as being a great cricket from a young age because of his technique, but really glad to see he is actually living up to those expectations. Plus he's such a sweet guy, reminds me of Sachin in that sense.

Taylor's been great too, second 100 in a row now. He's actually someone KKR should consider going for. He was really underused by Rajasthan in IPL, but he did awesome for Bangalore in first 3 seasons.

Ryder hasn't quite hit prime form, keeps getting out around 20s. But he's still been very valuable, cause the awesome starts he provided to all first 4 matches, really set the tone for the rest of the match and eased the pressure off the middle order.

Brendon is inconsistent in batting as always lol but damn, his captaincy has been great. There was so much controversy when he was appointed captain, and rightly so because the way they got rid of TAylor was disgraceful, but Brendon's definitely proved himself. Perhaps it is indeed better for Taylor to just focus on batting.

Then there's Luke Ronchi, his batting as been brilliant, especially as he keeps coming at the end and being forced into making a lot of quick runs, but he's been successful every time.

And then there's our bowlers of course who have been amazing too, constantly getting wickets early. Mills, Mclenaghan and Southee, Anderson, Nathan, all have done really well. Even the newcomer today- Matt Henry doing great.

Post by abhijacko on Feb 4, 2014 7:27:52 GMT -8

I have a bad feeling about the Test matches too - I don't think we have the bowlers to take 20 wickets. Plus Dhoni is too defensive of a captain in tests which is contrary to how well he does as skipper in ODIs and T20s. And we cant rule out bad karma for all the sh*t BCCI is doing off the field these days

Post by riverpanthera on Feb 5, 2014 16:04:32 GMT -8

Well NZ is a bit of trouble right now..3 down.

I think NZ test selectors have made a mistake here with the openers. They probably didn't want to change the squad that beat the WEst Indies. but it's not like the openers did that well in that series. Especially I really don't know why we keep persisting with Fulton who hardly ever does anything. Rutherford maybe it's ok to give a few more chances to.but I think definitely Guptil should have been given a chance after his performance in recent one dayers.

Post by abhijacko on Feb 5, 2014 19:45:35 GMT -8

But this is what will happen when you go into a test match with 3 pacers and a part time spinner !! MSD needs to wake the flip up and rethink his test strategies. Ideally he should just step down and be skipper in ODIs and T20s